Analog to digital converter

ABSTRACT

The output of each cell in an A-D converter on an IC chip is dependent upon the relative values of an input voltage and an individual one of progressive fractions of a reference voltage respectively introduced to the branches in a differential amplifier. To minimize output errors from cell mismatches, first and second sets of averaging impedances, preferably resistors, are respectively connected between the output terminals in the first branches, and the output terminals in the second branches, in successive pairs of cells. The impedances have relatively low values, particularly compared to the impedances of current sources connected to the branch output terminals. First and second resistive strips on the chip may be tapped at progressive positions to respectively define the impedances in the first and second sets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/702,309 filed Oct. 31, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,407,692, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/396,983 filed Sep. 15, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,169,510, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/932,163 filed Sep. 17, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,098 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/792,941 filed Jan. 22, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,048.

This invention relates to integrated circuits in which repetitive cells are matched for optimal circuit operation. More particularly, this invention relates to integrated circuits in which the effects of any cell mismatches are minimized. The invention is particularly adapted to be used in analog-to-digital converters. The invention additionally relates to methods of minimizing the effects of cell mismatches on cell outputs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of systems have been provided in the prior art for converting an analog voltage to digital signals (currents or voltages) representative of such analog voltage. One type of system often used in the prior art to provide such conversion has been known as a “flash converter”. In a flash converter, an analog input signal representative of the analog value to be converted digitally is introduced to a first input of a differential amplifier in each of a plurality of repetitive cells. An individual one of a plurality of progressive fractions in a reference voltage is introduced to a second input of such differential amplifier.

In the prior art, the differential amplifier in each cell may have first and second branches each including a transistor such as a CMOS transistor, each transistor having a gate, a source and a drain. The gates of the transistors in the first and second branches respectively receive the first and second inputs. The sources of the two (2) transistors in each differential amplifier have a common connection to a source of a substantially constant current. Load bearing currents flow through the transistors in the branches in each differential amplifier in accordance with the relative values of the voltages on the gates of the transistors, the sum of these currents being the substantially constant current.

Thus, a first output such as a binary “1” is produced in a comparator when the input voltage exceeds the particular fraction of the reference voltage introduced to the differential amplifier. Similarly, a second output such as a binary “0” is produced in the comparator when the input voltage is less than the particular fraction of the reference voltage introduced to the differential amplifier.

Exclusive “or” networks compare the outputs from successive pairs of comparators. An output indication is provided by the exclusive “or” network in which one of the comparator inputs is a binary “1” and the other input is a binary “0”. Each exclusive “or” network is programmed to provide digital indications of the input voltage represented by such “or” network.

The analog-to-digital converter discussed above is advantageous in that it can operate at high frequencies such as in the megahertz range. However, in order to determine the value of the input voltage with some accuracy and to convert this input voltage to the corresponding digital signals, a large number of amplifiers have to be provided. For example, for a converter providing a conversion of an analog signal to ten (10) binary bits, ten hundred and twenty four (1024) differential amplifiers and ten hundred and twenty three (1023) comparators would be required. When the input voltage is approximately two volts, each differential amplifier would have to provide a distinction between adjacent amplifiers in the order of two millivolts (2 mV.) Since this voltage is relatively small, it presents difficulties in the operation of the comparators.

The flash types of analog-to-digital converters have generally been disposed on an integrated circuit (IC) chip, particularly for a number of bits greater than about seven (7). Imperfections in the silicon substrate of the chip and in the methods of manufacturing the chip have produced mismatches between the outputs from successive pairs of differential amplifiers. These mismatches have caused errors to be produced in the stages providing the comparison between the input and reference voltages introduced to the differential amplifier. These mismatches have caused errors to be produced in the digital indications produced to represent the analog input signal.

Various attempts have been made to compensate for the cell mismatches produced in the converter of the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,550 issued to Kevin M. Kattman and Jeffrey G. Barrow for “Repetitive Cell Matching Technique for Integrated Circuits” and assigned of record to Analog Devices, Inc. discloses a system for, and method of providing, such compensation. In the '550 patent, a plurality of cells are provided each including a differential amplifier defined by two (2) branches. A transistor is provided in each branch. The transistor in a first one of the branches in each cell receives an input signal and the transistor in a second one of the branches in each cell receives an individual one of the progressive fractions of a reference voltage.

In the '550 patent, a plurality of load resistors are provided each connected to an individual one of the transistors in one of the first and second branches in an individual one of the cells to receive the load current flowing through such transistor. In addition, a first plurality of averaging resistors is provided each connected between the corresponding output terminals of the transistors in the first branches of successive pairs of the repetitive cells. A second plurality of averaging resistors is also provided each connected between the corresponding output terminals of the transistors in the second branches of successive pairs of the repetitive cells.

The system disclosed in the '550 patent operates to average the cell mismatches over a plurality of cells so as to reduce the inaccuracies resulting in the converted digital signals from the cell mismatches. Because of this, the system disclosed in the '550 patent reduces the differential non-linearities and integral non-linearities in the analog-to-digital converter formed from the plurality of cells. The lower the values of the averaging resistors that are provided in the first and second pluralities in the '550 patent, generally the greater is the improvement in the accuracy of the conversion from the analog value to the digital value. However, the gain in the system is reduced in the prior art when the values of the averaging resistors are reduced. Furthermore, the lower the gain, the more the offset in the comparators will become dominant. This limits the amount that the gain can be reduced in the prior art. Because of this, in the optimum, the differential non-linearity of the system disclosed in the '550 patent is reduced by a factor of approximately three (3) (1.58 bits) in comparison to the A-D converters of the prior art.

Although the system disclosed in the '550 patent provides a significant improvement in the accuracy of the digital output signals over the prior art, this improvement is small compared to the improvement produced in the accuracy of the output digital signals by the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/792,941 filed by Klaas Bult on Jan. 21, 1977, for an “Analog-to-Digital Converter” and assigned of record to the assignee of record of this application. For example, the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/792,941 provides an improvement of the differential non-linearity in the accuracy of the output-digital signals by as much as 17.3 (4 bits) when averaging over sixteen (16) stages was performed. The system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/792,941 additionally averages currents from approximately sixteen (16) stages and produces an approximately two (2) binary bit gain in integral non-linearity.

In one embodiment of the invention disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/792,941, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) formed on an integrated circuit chip from a plurality of cells includes a differential amplifier having first and second branches. The branches in each cell respectively have first and second transistors, one responsive to an input voltage and the other responsive to an individual one of progressive fractions of a reference voltage. The relative outputs from the branches for each cell are dependent upon the relative values of the two voltages introduced to the cell.

To minimize cell mismatches and the effects of these mismatches on cell outputs, first and second sets of averaging impedances, preferably resistors, are respectively connected in the system of application Ser. No. 08/792,941 between the output terminals of the first branch transistors, and between the output terminals of the second branch transistors, in successive pairs of cells.

Current sources connected to the output terminals of the transistors in the first and second branches in the system of application Ser. No. 08/792,941 have characteristics (preferably impedances approaching infinity) to force the signal bearing currents from the transistors to flow through the impedances in the first and second sets. The impedances have relatively low values, particularly in comparison to the impedances in the current sources, to reduce cell mismatches.

First and second resistive strips on the chip may be tapped at progressive positions in the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/792,941 to respectively define the impedances in the first and second sets. One end of each strip may be connected to the opposite end of the other strip to define a closed impedance loop and to minimize errors resulting from the averaging resistors at the ends of the strip.

The system disclosed and claimed in Ser. No. 08/792,941 application has certain important advantages over the prior art including the system of the '550 patent. These advantages provide considerable improvements in differential non-linearity and integral non-linearity specified above. These considerable improvements result in part from the fact that the system of this invention uses current sources (of a very high impedance value) and further uses the averaging resistances with impedance values as the load elements whereas the '550 patent uses resistors (not the averaging impedances) as the load devices.

The considerable improvements in the embodiment of the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/792,941 also result from the fact that the averaging impedances in the system of this invention constitute the actual signal current carrying load elements. In contrast, in the system of this invention, applicant provides a circular (or looped) termination of the averaging impedances. Furthermore, in the '550 patent, the last resistors in the first and second pluralities are terminated on an open ended basis.

Although the system in application Ser. No. 08/792,941 is disclosed primarily for use in an analog-to-digital converter, it has utility in other systems as well. For example, the system disclosed in application Ser. No. 08/792,941 may be used in a digital-to-analog converter. Actually, the system may be used in any embodiment where a plurality of repetitive cells are provided, particularly when the repetitive cells are disposed on an integrated circuit chip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention, the output of each cell in an A-D converter in an IC chip is dependent upon the relative values of an input voltage and an individual one of progressive fractions of a reference voltage respectively introduced to the branches in a differential amplifier. To minimize output errors from cell mismatches, first and second sets of averaging impedances, preferably resistors, are respectively connected between the output terminals in the first branches, and the output terminals in the second branches, in successive pairs of cells. The impedances have relatively low values, particularly compared to the impedances of current sources connected to the branch output terminals.

First and second resistive strips on the chip may be tapped at progressive positions to respectively define the impedances in the first and second sets. One end of each strip may be connected to the opposite end of the other strip to define a closed impedance loop for minimizing averaging errors at the strip ends. Different fractions of the reference voltage are associated with each individual impedance in the first and second sets. Such reference voltage fractions associated with each individual impedance have a particular repetitive relationship.

In this way, the number of output terminals and cell mismatches are reduced. The different outputs at each individual impedance are determined for the progressive fractions of the reference voltage at such impedance. Successive voltage fractions for each impedance have opposite polarities to provide a folding relationship. Such outputs may be cascaded to further reduce cell mismatches and the number of output terminals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a simplified circuit diagram of a conventional flash converter of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a generalized circuit diagram of an integrated circuit employing, in the prior art as shown in the '550 patent, a plurality of respective cells and averaging impedances for reducing the effects of cell mismatches;

FIG. 3 is a diagram indicating the reducing effect produced on a cell mismatch in a single cell by the electrical circuitry of the prior art as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a simplified circuit diagram of a flash converter of the type shown in the '550 patent;

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of a flash converter disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/792,941;

FIG. 6 is a simplified circuit diagram of an amplifier which may be included in the system shown in FIG. 5 to provide high impedance values approaching infinity;

FIG. 7a shows curves of integral non-linearity with and without the features of the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/792,941 and illustrates the considerable decrease in integral non-linearity produced by applicant's invention;

FIG. 7b shows curves of differential non-linearity with and without the features of the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/792,941 and illustrates the considerable decrease in differential non-linearity produced by such system;

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating the input ranges of individual cells in the circuitry shown in FIG. 5 as a result of the inclusion of the features of the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/792,941;

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment included in the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/792,941 for replacing the impedances in the system of FIG. 5′ by strips of resistive material deposited on an integrated circuit chip;

FIG. 10 illustrates an additional embodiment of the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/792,941 wherein cross connections are provided between the resistive strips defining the averaging resistors shown in FIG. 9 to minimize the effects of open-end terminations of these resistive strips as shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment equivalent to that shown in FIG. 10 but illustrates with increased clarity the advantages of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of an integrated circuit chip on which an individual one of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11 may be deposited;

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of a system constituting one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of the system shown in FIG. 13 to provide an enhanced understanding of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a simplified schematic representation of the system shown in FIG. 11 when a single stacked loop is provided;

FIG. 16 is a simplified schematic representation of the system shown in FIG. 13 when a pair of stacked loops are provided;

FIG. 17 is a flattened version of the simplified schematic representation shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a simplified schematic-representation of similar to that shown in FIG. 16 but with three (3) stacked loops instead of two (2);

FIG. 19 shows waveforms of an output voltage on an averaging resistor as a function of an input voltage to the averaging resistor;

FIG. 20 shows a distribution of the output voltage on a strip of averaging resistors for two (2) different voltages introduced to the averaging resistors; and

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating how two (2) amplifier arrangements each corresponding to that shown in FIG. 18 can be connected in a cascade arrangement to provide enhanced resolutions in determining the value of an input voltage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates on a schematic basis an analog-to-digital (A-D) converter, generally indicated at 10, of the prior art. The A-D converter is of the type known as a flash converter. It includes a plurality of cells generally indicated at 12 a, 12 b, 12 c and 12 d. Although only four (4) cells are shown, it will be appreciated that the four (4) cells are representative of a number of cells which may be considerably greater than four (4). For example, 1024 cells may be employed to provide a conversion of an analog input voltage to ten (10) binary bits.

Each of the cells 12 a, 12 b, 12 c and 12 d includes an individual one of a plurality of pre-amplifiers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and 14 d. Preferably each of these pre-amplifiers is differential so that it has two (2) inputs and two (2) outputs. One of the inputs to each of the pre-amplifiers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and 14 d receives an analog input signal on a line 16. The other of the inputs to the pre-amplifiers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and 14 d receives an individual one of progressive fractions of a reference voltage. The progressive fractions of the reference voltage are provided by progressive resistors 18 a, 18 b, 18 c and 18 d connected in a ladder network between a terminal 20 providing a reference voltage (e.g. 2 volts) and a terminal 22 providing a low potential such as ground.

Each of the pre-amplifiers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and 14 d has two (2) outputs depending upon the relative values of the two (2) voltages introduced to the pre-amplifier. The two outputs from each of the pre-amplifiers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and 14 d are respectively introduced to input terminals of comparators 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d. Output signals are respectively provided on output lines 26 a, 26 b, 26 c and 26 d from the comparators 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d. The comparators 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d are respectively included in the cells 12 a, 12 b, 12 c and 12 d.

Each of the pre-amplifiers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and 14 d provides a pair of relative outputs dependent upon the magnitude of the input voltage on the line 16 relative to the magnitude of the particular fraction of the reference voltage introduced to such pre-amplifier. For example, the pre-amplifier 14 b produces a higher voltage on the left output line than on the right output line when the input voltage on the line 16 exceeds the particular fraction of the reference voltage introduced to the pre-amplifier. Similarly, the pre-amplifier 14 b produces a lower voltage on the left output line than on the right output line when the input voltage on the line 16 is less than the particular fraction of the reference voltage introduced to the pre-amplifier.

The differential outputs from each of the pre-amplifiers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and 14 d respectively cause output voltages to be produced by the comparators 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d. The output voltage from each of the comparators 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d may be a binary “1” or a binary “0”. For example, the output from the comparator 24 b may be a binary “1” when the magnitude of the input voltage introduced to the pre-amplifier 14 b exceeds the magnitude of the particular fraction of the reference voltage introduced to such pre-amplifier. Similarly, the output from the comparator 24 b may be a binary “0” when the magnitude of the input voltage introduced to the pre-amplifier 14 b is less than the magnitude of the particular fraction of the reference voltage introduced to such pre-amplifier.

It is well known in the art that the binary values of the outputs from successive pairs of the comparator 24 a, 24 b, 24 c and 24 d are compared in exclusive-“or” circuits to determine the digital equivalent of the analog input on the line 16. The particular exclusive-“or” circuit receiving a binary “1” on one input and a binary “0” on the other input provides an indication of the binary signals representative of the analog input on the line 16. Each exclusive “or” circuit is programmed to provide binary indications of the magnitude of the input voltage to which such exclusive “or” circuit responds.

Mismatches may occur for a number of reasons between successive pairs of the cells 12 a, 12 b, 12 c and 12 d. For example, such mismatches may occur because of deviations at different positions on the substrate in the characteristics of the substrate on which the cells are formed. Such mismatches may also occur as a result of deviations in the characteristics of a deposition at different positions on the substrates. Such cell mismatches may cause inaccurate digital indications representative of the analog input to be produced. These inaccurate indications may particularly result from the fact that 1023 comparisons have to be provided to obtain binary indications with an accuracy of ten (10) binary bits. When the reference voltage has a value such as approximately two volts (2 V.), each progressive fraction of the reference voltage has a value of less than two millivolts (2 mV.). As will be appreciated, a cell mismatch does not have to be very large to produce an error in the binary indications representative of the analog input on the line 16, particularly when the difference between the voltages in successive cells is less than two millivolts (2 mv).

FIG. 2 provides an improved flash converter of the prior art to minimize errors resulting from cell mismatches. This improved flash converter may be considered to correspond to FIG. 2 of the '550 patent. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes components corresponding to components shown in FIG. 1. These components have the same numerical designations as the corresponding components shown in FIG. 1. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 also includes a first set of averaging impedances 30 a, 30 b, 30 c and 30 d and a second set of averaging impedances 32 a, 32 b, 32 c and 32 d.

Preferably the impedances 30 a, 30 b, 30 c and 30 d and the impedances 32 a, 32 b, 32 c and 32 d are resistors. The impedances 30 a-30 d and the impedances 32 a-32 d preferably have substantially equal values. However, the impedances 30 a-30 d and 32 a-32 d may have any desired pattern of values other than the equal values specified above. The impedances 30 a-30 d are respectively connected to corresponding (e.g. the left) output terminals in successive pairs of the differential pre-amplifiers 24 a-24 d. Similarly, the impedances 32 a-32 d are respectively connected to corresponding (e.g. the right) output terminals in the successive pairs of the pre-amplifiers 24 a-24 d.

FIG. 3 illustrates an offset 34 from a desired voltage when a cell mismatch occurs in the prior art embodiment shown in FIG. 1. As will be seen, this offset occurs illustratively at cell 13 in a string of 25 cells. All of the other cells (1-12 and 14-25) do not have any offset in this example. FIG. 3 also illustrates the offset produced at the cell 13 when the averaging impedances 30 a-30 d and 32 a-32 d are included as shown in FIG. 2.

As will be seen in FIG. 3, an offset 36 is produced at the cell 13 when a cell mismatch occurs at the cell 13 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. Offsets of progressively decreasing values are produced for each of the cells from cell 12 to cell 1 and from cell 14 to cell 25 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. This may be seen from the shape of an envelope 38 in FIG. 3. The envelope 38 in FIG. 3 is advantageous because it considerably reduces the offset at cell 13 and because it considerably reduces the differential non-linearity between successive pairs of the cells. This may be seen in the gradual decrease of the values of the offsets between successive pairs of the cells 13-1 and the cells 13-25.

The impedances 30 a-30 d and 32 a-32 d provide reductions in the offset voltage as shown in FIG. 3 by passing a current from the cell producing the offset voltage to the outputs of successive ones of the adjacent cells in the set. For example, an offset voltage at the cell 12 b in FIG. 2 will cause a current to pass from this cell and through the impedances 30 a and 32 a to the outputs of the pre-amplifier 14 a in the cell 12 a and through the impedances 30 b and 32 b and the impedances 30 c and 32 c to the outputs of the respective ones of the pre-amplifiers 14 c and 14 d in the cells 12 c and 12 d. The offset voltage progressively decreases for the cells progressively displaced from the cell (e.g. cell 13 in FIG. 3) producing the offset because the offset current progressively decreases in relation to the displacement of the cells from the cell producing the offset. Furthermore, the reduction provided in the offset (e.g. from the offset 34 to the offset 36 in FIG. 3) is dependent upon the values of the impedances 30 a-30 d and 32 a-32 d. The reduction provided in the offset is increased with decreases in the values of the impedances 30 a-30 d and 32 a-32 d because the averaging currents through the impedances are increased with decreases in the values of these impedances.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the prior art corresponding to that shown in FIG. 2 of the '550 patent. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 shows the construction of the cells 12 a, 12 b, 12 c and 12 d, and particularly the construction of the pre-amplifiers 14 a-14 d, in additional detail since it includes transistors. The construction of each of the cells 12 a-12 d is substantially identical. Because of this, only the construction of the pre-amplifier 14 a in the cell 12 a will be described in detail.

The pre-amplifier 14 a in the cell 12 a includes a pair of transistors 40 and 42, preferably CMOS and preferably n-type, having their sources connected to one terminal of a source 44 of a substantially constant current. The second terminal of the source 44 is at a reference potential such as ground. The gates of the transistors 40 and 42 respectively receive the voltage on the input line 16 and the voltage at the left terminal of the reference resistor 18 a in FIG. 2. The drains of the transistors 40 and 42 respectively are common with first terminals of resistors 46 and 48. The second terminals of the resistors 46 and 48 receive a positive voltage on a line 50. Connections are also made from the drains of the transistors 40 and 42 to the terminals of the averaging impedances 30 a and 32 a also shown in FIG. 2.

Since the current through the source 44 is substantially constant, this current is divided between the transistors 40 and 42 dependent upon the relative magnitudes of the voltages on the gates of the transistors. Fractions of the currents through the transistors 40 and 42 respectively flow through the resistors 46 and 48. The other fractions of the currents through the transistors 40 and 42 respectively flow through the averaging impedances (e.g. resistors) 30 a and 32 a. Thus, not all of the currents flowing through the transistors 40 and 42 flow respectively through the averaging impedances 30 a and 30 b since a substantial portion of such currents respectively flow through the resistors 46 and 48. Since the averaging impedances 30 a and 30 b receive only a portion of the currents flowing through the transistors 40 and 42, they have only a limited effectiveness in reducing the effects of cell mismatches. This is one of the major disadvantages in the system disclosed and claimed in the '550 patent.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, components common to FIGS. 4 and 5 have the same numerical designation. These include the transistors 40 and 42 and the source 44 of substantially constant current. However, the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 includes a pair of current sources 54 and 56 each having an impedance approaching infinity. These current sources are respectively connected between a voltage source 58 and the drains of the transistors 40 and 42. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 also includes a pair of averaging impedances (e.g. resistors) 60 a and 62 a respectively connected to the drains of the transistors 40 and 42. The averaging impedances 60 a and 60 b are given identifications different from the identifications of the corresponding impedances in FIG. 4 because they may have lower values than the corresponding impedances in FIG. 4. It will be appreciated that the other cells in FIG. 5 may have a construction corresponding to that specified above for the cell described in this paragraph.

Because of the impedance values approaching infinity in the impedances 54 and 56, little, if any, signal current flows through these impedances. Therefore, all of the current flowing in the transistor 40 flows through the averaging impedance 60 a and all of the current flowing in the transistor 42 flows through the averaging impedance 62 a. The increased currents through the averaging impedances 60 a and 62 b allow these averaging impedances to have reduced values relative to the values of the averaging impedances 30 a and 32 a in the prior art embodiment shown in FIG. 4. The increased currents through the averaging impedances 60 a and 62 a provide for an increased reduction by the embodiment of FIG. 5 in the effects of cell mismatches on the output at the drains of the transistors 40 and 42.

Transistors 64, 66, 68 and 70 in FIG. 6 are included in an embodiment of the current sources 54 and 56 providing impedances approaching infinity. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 includes a first pair of transistors 64 and 66 and a second pair of transistors 68 and 70. The transistors 64, 66, 68 and 70 are preferably CMOS transistors of the p-type. The sources of the transistors 64, 66, 68 and 70 are respectively common with the voltage source 58. The gates of the transistors 64 and 66 have a common connection with the drains of the transistors 64 and 68 and with the drain of a transistor 72. The gate of the transistor 72 may receive a positive input voltage. The transistor 72 may be a CMOS transistor of the n-type.

The source of the transistor 72 may have common connections with the drain of a transistor 74 and with the source of a transistor 76. The transistors 74 and 76 may be CMOS transistors of the n-type. The gate of the transistor 76 may receive a negative voltage relative to the voltage on the gate of the transistor 72. The drain of the transistor 76 is common with the drains of the transistors 66 and 70 and with the gates of the transistors 68 and 70.

The positive voltage on the gate of the transistor 72 causes the transistor to conduct current and to produce a relatively low voltage on the gates of the transistors 64 and 66. This causes the transistor 66 to conduct current and to produce a high voltage on the drain of the transistor. In like manner, the low voltage on the gate of the transistor 76 inhibits the flow of current through the transistor so that a high voltage is produced on the gates of the transistors 68 and 70. This high voltage tends to limit the current through the transistor 68 and to produce a low voltage on the drain of the transistor.

The high voltage on the gate of the transistor 68 also tends to limit the current through the transistor 68 and to produce a low voltage on the drains of the transistors 64 and 72. This low voltage is opposite to the high voltage produced on the drain of the transistor 64 by the flow of current through the transistor as described in the previous paragraph. If the characteristics of the transistors in the amplifier shown in FIG. 6 are chosen properly, the effects on the gate of the transistor 64 by the operation of the transistors 64 and 68 will tend to cancel each other so that little, if any, signal current will flow through the transistor 64. This will cause the impedance in the transistor 64 to approach infinity. In like manner, the transistors 66 and 70 will operate in conjunction so that little, if any, current will flow through the transistor 70. This will cause the impedance in the transistor 70 to approach infinity.

FIG. 7a shows an envelope 80 (in solid lines) of integral non-linearity for the prior art embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and also shows an envelope 82 (in broken lines) of integral non-linearity for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 7a, the input voltage is shown on the horizontal axis and the integral non-linearity is shown on the vertical axis where the units are identical to the value of the least significant bit. The envelopes are shown for averaging over sixteen (16) cells or stages. As will be seen from the envelope 82, the integral non-linearity may vary from stage to stage by as much as approximately one half of the value of the least significant bit. However, when the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is used, the variations in the integral non-linearity in the successive cells or stages, as seen by the envelope 82, are relatively minor. As will be seen from FIG. 7a and from the subsequent discussion, the gain in the curve 82 relative to the curve 80 is approximately 3.9. This corresponds to approximately 1.96 bits.

FIG. 7b shows an envelope 84 (in solid lines) of differential non-linearity for the prior art embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and also shows an envelope 86 of differential non-linearity for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 7b, the input voltage is shown on the horizontal axis and the differential non-linearity is shown on the vertical axis for the value of the least significant bit. The envelopes 84 and 86 are shown for averaging over sixteen (16) cells or stages.

As will be seen from the envelope 84, the differential linearity for the prior art (FIG. 2) may vary from stage to stage by values approaching the value of the least significant bit. However, when the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is used, the variations in the differential non-linearity in the successive stages, as seen from the envelope 86 (in broken lines), is relatively minor. As will be seen from FIG. 7b and from the subsequent discussion, the gain in the curve 86 relative to the curve 84 is approximately 17.3. This corresponds to approximately 4.1 bits.

The improvements in integral non-linearity and differential non-linearity due to averaging can be understood by considering the diagram of FIG. 8, where the ladder and averaging resistors are shown as one continuous strip of resistive material. The linear input range of each amplifier stage is shown at the top of the diagram. When the input signal is centered around amplifier m, the current in the averaging resistor contains linear contributions from adjacent amplifiers as well. Beyond the linear range of the amplifiers, the current is clipped. In this example, the linear input range overlaps 5 amplifiers. Therefore the estimated root mean square (rms) offset voltage at stage m is reduced according to

ν_(σm)=ν_(σ)  (1)

In general the offset after averaging is reduced by N, where N is the number of amplifier stages operating in the linear input range at any one instant.

The improvement in differential non-linearity is even larger because it is obtained by taking the difference of two output voltages which, after averaging, are highly correlated. Consider the stages n and n+1 in FIG. 8. Without averaging

ν_(δ)=ν_(n)−ν_(n+1)  (2)

After averaging, $\begin{matrix} {v_{\delta} = {{\frac{v_{n - 2} + v_{n - 1} + v_{n} + v_{n + 1} + v_{n + 2}}{5} - \frac{v_{n - 1} + v_{n} + v_{n + 1} + v_{n + 2} + v_{n + 3}}{5}} = \frac{v_{n - 2}v_{n + 3}}{5}}} & (3) \end{matrix}$

and the rms value of the difference in offset voltage is given by $v_{\delta\sigma} = \frac{v_{\sigma}}{5}$

Therefore, differential non-linearity is reduced by the factor N. Returning to the simulation of FIG. 7, where N=16, the improvement of 3.9 (1.96-bits) in integral non-linearity and 17.3 (4.1-bits) in differential non-linearity is consistent with this analysis. The gain of 3 (1.5-bits, 9.5-dB) in differential non-linearity reported in the prior art (Technique for Reducing Differential Non-Linearity Errors in Flash A-D Converters, by Kevin Kattman and Jeff Barrow at pages 170-175 of the 1991 Digest of Technical Papers in the International Solid State Circuits Conference) implies an averaging over N=3 stages. This analysis would predict a corresponding gain of 1.73 (0.8-bits, 4.7-dB) in integral non-linearity, which would reduce maximum harmonics by a similar factor. This was indeed found to be the case.

For the actual design, applicant used folding and interpolation, which complicates the above first-order analysis, but the principle, and obtainable integral non-linearity and differential non-linearity gains remain the same. This distributed approach has the effect of making the input transistors look bigger. To achieve the same differential non-linearity performance without averaging, the input transistors would have to increase in area by N², or 256 times for N=16. Such enormous gains in differential non-linearity and integral non-linearity from averaging allows the use of almost minimum size devices in the gain stages.

FIG. 9 shows an arrangement corresponding to that shown in FIG. 5. This embodiment shows eight (8) cells respectively designated as “1” through “8”. Each of the cells 1-8 is considered to be constructed in a manner corresponding to that shown in FIG. 5. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the resistors 18 a, 18 b, 18 c and 18 d are replaced by a strip 92 of resistive material deposited on an integrated circuit chip 90 (FIG. 12) holding the circuitry shown in FIG. 5. As will be seen, the resistive strip 92 is disposed in a direction transverse to the cells, which are designated as 1-8 in FIG. 9. The resistive strip 92 is tapped at progressive positions to form the resistors 18 a, 18 b, 18 c and 18 d.

In like manner, the resistors corresponding to the resistor 60 a in FIG. 5 are formed by a strip 94 of resistive material deposited on the integrated circuit chip 90. The resistive strip 94 is disposed in a direction substantially parallel to, but displaced from, the resistive strip 92. The resistive strip 94 is tapped at progressive positions to form such resistors. The resistors corresponding to the resistor 62 a in FIG. 5 are also formed by a strip 96 of resistive material deposited on the integrated circuit 90. The resistive strip 96 is substantially parallel to, but displaced from, the resistive strips 92 and 94. The resistive strip 96 is tapped at progressive positions to form such resistors.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 and in the prior art embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the averaging resistors have open-ended terminations at their opposite ends. For example, the resistive strips 94 and 96 have open-ended terminations. Because of this, in the extreme left cell or in the extreme right cell in FIG. 9, the averaging resistors will pull in one direction only, causing these offsets and non-linearity. It will also be appreciated that the effects of this in the cells immediately adjacent to the extreme left and extreme right cells also cannot be completely compensated.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment in which effective compensations are provided even at the positions of the open end terminations of the averaging resistors. This is accomplished by connecting the right open end of each of the sets of averaging impedances to the left open end of the other set of averaging resistors. For example, the open-ended terminal in the averaging impedance 60 a (FIG. 5) in one set is connected to the open-ended terminal in the averaging resistor at the right end of the set including the averaging impedance 62 a. In like manner, the open-ended terminal in the averaging impedance 62 a (FIG. 5) in the second set is connected to the open ended terminal at the right end of the set including the averaging impedance 60 a.

FIG. 11 shows a re-arrangement of the different elements in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 to show the symmetry of the arrangement of FIG. 10. As will be seen, the straight line arrangement in FIG. 10 is re-arranged into a circle in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11. The different strips of resistors in FIG. 11 are respectively designated as 92 a, 94 a and 96 a to correspond to the resistive strips 92, 94 and 96 in FIG. 9. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, one open-end of each of the strips 94 a and 96 b are connected to the other open end of the other strip. This results in two (2) cross-overs 98 a and 98 b between the strips 94 a and 96 a. The two (2) crossovers 98 a and 98 b are electrically insulated from each other so that the resistive strip 94 a will be electrically insulated from the resistive strip 96 a.

The embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings and described above have certain advantages over the prior art, particularly the prior art shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The embodiments of the invention compensate for cell mismatches with much greater effect than in the prior art. This may be seen from the considerable decrease in integral non-linearity and differential non-linearity by the embodiments of this invention relative to the systems of the prior art. This results in part from the passage of all of the signal current through the averaging impedances in the embodiments of this invention. The passage of all of the signal current through the averaging impedances results from the inclusion in the cells of load impedances having values approaching infinity.

The embodiments of this invention are also advantageous in minimizing the effects of cell mismatches in the averaging impedances having open ended terminations in the prior art. In the embodiments of this invention, the open ended terminations at each end in each set of averaging impedances are connected to the open ended terminations at the opposite end of the other set of averaging impedances. For example, the impedance 60 a at the left end of the set including the impedance 60 a is connected to the impedance at the right end of the set including the impedance 62 a.

FIG. 13 indicates a system which constitutes an improvement of the system shown in FIG. 11. The system shown in FIG. 13 includes the resistor strips 94 a and 96 a shown in FIG. 11. It also includes the cross-overs 98 a and 98 b to form the resistor strips 94 a and 96 a into a single closed-loop strip. The system shown in FIG. 13 also provides the amplifiers 1 a-8 a. These amplifiers receive the input voltage on the line 16 and progressive fractions of a reference voltage on the resistance strip 92 a.

The amplifiers 1 a-8 a are shown as being unshaded because each amplifier provides a positive output when the input voltage exceeds the particular fraction of the reference voltage introduced to the amplifier. As will be seen, the resistance strip 92 a is tapped at progressive positions along its length to introduce progressive fractions of the reference voltage to successive ones of the amplifiers 1 a-8 a. Similarly, the resistance strips 94 a and 96 a are tapped at progressive positions along their lengths to provide outputs for progressive ones of the amplifiers 1 a-8 a.

As will be seen in FIG. 13, the resistance strip 92 a is disposed radially inwardly from its position in FIG. 11. This is to allow the resistance strip 92 a to be looped a second time around the support (e.g. the integrated circuit chip) on which it is disposed. This second loop of the resistance strip is designated in FIG. 13 as 92 b. Taps at progressive positions along the second loop 92 b of the resistance strip are connected to input terminals of amplifiers respectively designated as 9 a-16 a. The output terminals of the amplifiers 9 a-16 a respectively have common connections with the output terminals of the amplifiers 1 a-8 a.

The amplifiers 9 a-16 a are shown as shaded. One reason is that the amplifiers 9 a-16 a may be considered as folded relative to the amplifiers 1 a-8 a. In other words, the amplifiers 1 a-8 a may be considered as providing progressive outputs in the positive direction and the amplifiers 9 a-16 a may be considered as providing progressive outputs in the negative direction. Thus, the outputs of the amplifiers 1 a-8 a may be considered to provide the rising side of an equilateral triangle and the outputs of the amplifiers 9 a-16 a may be considered to provide the falling side of the equilateral triangle.

When one of the amplifiers 1 a-8 a provides an output indicating the rising side of the equilateral triangle, it provides a positive output when the input voltage on the line 16 exceeds the particular fraction of the reference voltage introduced to such amplifier. However, when one of the amplifiers 9 a-16 a provides an output indicating the falling side of the equilateral triangle, it provides a negative output when the input voltage on the line 16 exceeds the particular fraction of the reference voltage introduced to such amplifier.

For each of the amplifiers 1 a-8 a, a positive output is produced when the input voltage is greater than the particular fraction of the reference voltage introduced to such amplifier. For each of the amplifiers 9 a-16 a, a negative output is produced when the input voltage is greater than the particular fraction of the reference voltage introduced to such amplifier. This production of an output voltage of an opposite polarity from the amplifiers 9 a-16 a relative to the output voltage from the amplifiers 1 a-8 a results from the folded relationship discussed above between the amplifiers 1 a-8 a and 9 a-16 a.

The relationship discussed above and shown in FIG. 13 has certain important advantages. It provides for minimal lengths in the resistive strips 94 a and 96 a since the resistive strips 94 a and 96 service more than one amplifier. It also provides the disposition of the resistive strip 92 a and the extension 92 b in a minimal amount of space. It also provides a considerable number of outputs with a minimal number of output terminals. For example, the outputs of sixteen (16) amplifiers are provided by eight (8) pairs of output terminals in FIG. 13. This reduces the number of comparators needed to provide the outputs. The arrangement shown in FIG. 13 accordingly provides a compact and efficient system for determining the value of the input voltage on the line 16.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 13 implements a two (2)-times folding. It will be appreciated that the number of folds can be increased to any desired value in the system of this invention. This may be seen from FIG. 14 which resembles a drill bit in the sense that alternate layers have a spiral pattern downwardly along the drill bit. In FIG. 13, successive amplifier layers are connected with alternate polarities. These successive layers are differentiated from one another by light shadings for alternate ones 102 a, 102 c, (designated as “positive layer”) of the layers and by dark shadings for the other ones (e.g. 102 b, 102 d designated as “negative layer”) for the other ones of the layers.

FIG. 14 also shows a polystrip 104 (schematically providing the averaging resistors represented as in a closed loop) and also shows projections from corresponding positions in the different layers 102 a-102 d to positions on the poly strip 104. It will be appreciated that the showing in FIG. 14 is only schematic since it is a three (3)-dimensional representation and since three (3)-dimensional representations cannot be easily provided on an integrated circuit chip such as the chip 90 shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 illustrates on a simplified basis an actual layout in the integrated circuit 90 for the amplifiers 1-8 in FIG. 11. It will be appreciated that a similar layout may be provided on the integrated circuit chip 90 for the amplifiers 1 a-8 a and 9 a-16 a as shown in FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 15, the taps for the averaging resistors connected to the amplifiers 1 a-4 a are shown along one horizontal line on the chip 90 and the taps for the averaging resistors connected to the amplifiers 5 a-8 a are shown along another horizontal line on the chip. As shown in FIG. 15, the taps for the amplifiers 5 a-8 a are staggered in position relative to the taps for the amplifiers 1 a-4 a. The layout of the taps for the amplifiers 1 a-8 a may accordingly be represented on a two (2)-dimensional basis as indicated by a chart 106 in FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 illustrates a flattened version of the system shown in FIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 16, the taps for the averaging resistors for the amplifiers 1 a-8 a are shown below the taps for the averaging resistors for the amplifiers 9 a-16 a. This is for convenience in representation since the taps for the averaging resistances in the amplifiers 1 a-8 a respectively correspond to the taps for the averaging resistors for the amplifiers 9 a-16 a. Similarly, the taps for the averaging resistors for the amplifiers 1 a-8 a are shown in FIG. 17 for purposes of convenience and clarification as horizontally displaced from the taps for the averaging resistors for the amplifiers 9 a-16 a.

It has been previously indicated that more than two (2) loops (e.g. amplifiers 1 a-8 a and 9 a-16 a) may be folded. FIG. 18 shows an arrangement in which three (3) loops may be folded. In FIG. 18, the first group (1 a-8 a) and third group (17 a-24 a) of amplifiers are shown as unshaded. These provide progressive positive values for the successive amplifiers in the loop. The second group (9 a-16 a) of amplifiers are shown as shaded. These provide progressively negative values for the successive amplifiers in the loop.

The outputs of the amplifiers 1 a-24 a in FIG. 18 may be cascaded. For example, three (3) additional loops corresponding to those shown in FIG. 18 may be provided. The outputs of the amplifiers 1-24 a in the first three (3) loops may then be introduced as the inputs to the corresponding amplifiers in the cascade arrangement formed by the three (3) additional loops. The construction of the three (3) additional loops corresponds to the construction of the first three (3) loops.

FIG. 19 indicates a function of the input voltages at progressive vertical positions. The first group of amplifiers 1 a-8 a is indicated for the portion of the function curves between a line 112 and a line 129. The second group of amplifiers 9 a-16 a is indicated for the portion of the function curves between the line 129 and a line 130. The third group of amplifiers 17 a-24 a is indicated for the portion of the function curves to the right of the line 130.

FIG. 19 indicates the output voltage from each of the amplifiers 1 a-24 a. This is indicated for progressive values of the input voltage initially for the amplifiers 1 a-8 a in the first group, then for the amplifiers 9 a-16 a in the second group and then for the amplifiers 17 a-24 a in the third group. As will be seen illustratively for the amplifiers 1 a-8 a in the first group, the differential voltage produced for each of such amplifiers has a zero (0) output for each of the progressive amplifiers 1 a-8 a at progressive increases in the input voltage.

The eight (8) outputs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 19 may be folded again in a cascade relationship to produce four (4) outputs. The folding may be in an arrangement similar to that shown in FIG. 18. In this arrangement, the first four of the eight (8) outputs may be folded in a positive direction for increases of the progressive fractions of the reference voltage and the last four (4) of the outputs may be folded in a negative direction for increases of the progressive fractions of the reference voltage. The outputs from the amplifiers in FIG. 1 are shown on a block diagram in FIG. 21 at 110 and the folding in the cascade arrangement is shown on a block diagram basis at 112 in FIG. 21.

FIG. 19 indicates at 112 a vertical line in which the input voltage is determined by the amplifiers shown in FIG. 19 to have a value of V1. The upper schematic representation in FIG. 20 constitutes a voltage distribution curve which indicates the voltage distribution on the resistor strip 94 a when the input voltage Vin=V1.

The voltage distribution at progressive taps on the resistor strips 94 a is illustrated by broken lines at 116 in FIG. 20. The voltage distribution is also indicated by a shaded ellipse 118 in FIG. 20. As shown in FIG. 20, there are 16 taps on the resistor strip 94 a. This corresponds to a folding of eight (8) amplifiers in the positive direction and then a folding of eight (8) additional amplifiers in a negative direction. These taps are indicated by intersections of vertical lines with the resistor strip 94 a. One of these intersections is illustrated at 120 in FIG. 20.

The zero crossings of the voltage at progressive positions on the resistor strip 94 a are indicated at 122 and 124 in FIG. 20 when V_(in)=V1. One of these zero crossings is for the positive folding provided by the amplifiers 1 a-8 a. The other zero crossing is for the negative folding provided by the amplifiers 9 a-16 a. The vertical lines indicate the current outputs from the transistors such as the transistor 94 in FIG. 5. One of these vertical lines is indicated at 126 in FIG. 20 when V_(in)=V1.

FIG. 19 also includes a second voltage distribution curve 128. This distribution curve includes a vertical line 130 in which the input voltage V_(in) is determined by the amplifiers shown in FIG. 18 to have a value of V2. The lower drawing in FIG. 20 indicates the distribution of voltage on the resistor strip 94 a when V_(in)=V2. This voltage distribution is indicated by a shaded ellipse 132. This ellipse has a different shape than the ellipse 118. It also has zero crossings at 13A and 136. These zero crossings are at different positions on the resistor strip 94 a than the zero crossings 122 and 124 in the upper distribution curve in FIG. 20.

Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, the principles involved are susceptible for use in numerous other embodiments which will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for converting analog signals to digital signals comprising: introducing an analog input voltage to a plurality of cells; introducing a reference voltage to the plurality of cells; receiving the analog input voltage on a first input terminal of each of the plurality of cells; receiving the reference voltage on a second input terminal of each of the plurality of cells; providing an output signal across a first and second output terminal of each of the plurality of cells; coupling a first set of impedance elements to the respective first and second output terminals of each of the plurality of cells; and coupling a subset of a second set of impedance elements between the respective first output terminals of adjacent cells and coupling the remainder of the second set of impedance elements between the respective second output terminals of adjacent cells, wherein the second set of impedance elements provide relatively small impedance values compared with the first set of impedance elements.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: producing, in each of the plurality of cells, a first output when the input voltage received on the first input terminal exceeds the reference voltage received on the second input terminal; and producing, in each of the plurality of cells, a second output when the reference voltage received on the second input terminal exceeds the input voltage received on the first input terminal.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein introducing a reference voltage further comprises: producing progressive fractions of the reference voltage; and introducing the progressive fractions of the reference voltage to successive cells of the plurality of cells.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising reading the outputs from the successive cells in sequence in accordance with the progressive fractions of the reference voltage introduced to such cells.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein producing progressive fractions of a reference voltage further comprises: configuring a third set of impedance elements as a continuous resistive strip; applying the reference voltage to the continuous resistive strip; and coupling the second input terminal of each of the plurality of cells to the continuous resistive strip.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising arranging the continuous resistive strip in a generally circular manner.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising dividing the plurality of cells to create two or more sets, wherein alternating sets are in a folded relationship to each adjacent set.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: arranging the continuous resistive strip into loops, wherein one loop is formed corresponding to each set of cells; and connecting the cells comprising each set to a respective loop of the continuous resistive strip.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: providing output of an opposite polarity from each of the cells in the alternating sets relative to the polarity of the output of the cells in the adjacent sets; and adjusting for the polarity of the output from the cells in the alternating sets.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising cascading the outputs of a first set of cells into the inputs of a second set of cells.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising configuring the cells in the sets in an interleaved relationship, wherein corresponding cells in the different sets have common connections to the low impedance.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the first set of impedance elements to have substantially infinite impedances.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the second set of impedance elements as a continuous resistive strip.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising arranging the continuous resistive strip in a generally circular manner.
 15. A method for converting analog signals to digital signals comprising: introducing an analog input voltage to a plurality of differential amplifiers; introducing a reference voltage to the plurality of differential amplifiers; receiving the analog input voltage on a first input terminal of each of the plurality of differential amplifiers; receiving the reference voltage on a second input terminal of each of the plurality of differential amplifiers; providing an output signal across a first and second output terminal of each of the plurality of differential amplifiers; coupling a first set of impedance elements to the respective first and second output terminals of each of the plurality of differential amplifiers; and coupling a subset of a second set of impedance elements between the respective first output terminals of adjacent differential amplifiers and coupling the remainder of the second set of impedance elements between the respective second output terminals of adjacent differential amplifiers, wherein the second set of impedance elements provide relatively small impedance values compared with the first set of impedance elements.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: producing, in each of the plurality of differential amplifiers, a first output when the input voltage received on the first input terminal exceeds the reference voltage received on the second input terminal; and producing, in each of the plurality of differential amplifiers, a second output when the reference voltage received on the second input terminal exceeds the input voltage received on the first input terminal.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein introducing a reference voltage further comprises: producing progressive fractions of the reference voltage; and introducing the progressive fractions of the reference voltage to successive differential amplifiers of the plurality of differential amplifiers.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising reading the outputs from the successive differential amplifiers in sequence in accordance with the progressive fractions of the reference voltage introduced to such differential amplifiers.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein producing progressive fractions of a reference voltage further comprises: configuring a third set of impedance elements as a continuous resistive strip; applying the reference voltage to the continuous resistive strip; and coupling the second input terminal of each of the plurality of differential amplifiers to the continuous resistive strip.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising arranging the continuous resistive strip in a generally circular manner.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising dividing the plurality of differential amplifiers to create two or more sets, wherein alternating sets are in a folded relationship to each adjacent set.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: arranging the continuous resistive strip into loops, wherein one loop is formed corresponding to each set of differential amplifiers; and connecting the differential amplifiers comprising each set to a respective loop of the continuous resistive strip.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: providing output of an opposite polarity from each of the differential amplifiers in the alternating sets relative to the polarity of the output of the differential amplifiers in the adjacent sets; and adjusting for the polarity of the output from the differential amplifiers in the alternating sets.
 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising cascading the outputs of a first set of differential amplifiers into the inputs of a second set of differential amplifiers.
 25. The method of claim 21, further comprising configuring the differential amplifiers in the sets in an interleaved relationship, wherein corresponding differential amplifiers in the different sets have common connections to the low impedance.
 26. The method of claim 15, further comprising configuring the first set of impedance elements to have substantially infinite impedances.
 27. The method of claim 15, further comprising configuring the second set of impedance elements as a continuous resistive strip.
 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising arranging the continuous resistive strip in a generally circular manner. 